Is Your Carry Gear Clean? The Truth About Washing Holster Gear

You wash your clothes. You wash your gym gear. You wash your socks (hopefully often). But when was the last time you thought seriously about washing holster gear—your holster wedge, your comfort pad, the stuff that lives inside your waistband all day?

For most concealed carriers, the honest answer is: basically never.

We treat our holsters and wedges as “hardware” instead of “wearables.” But think about where they live. Your holster rides in your waistband for 10–16 hours a day, pressed against some of the warmest, sweatiest real estate on your body. It absorbs perspiration, dead skin, body oils, lint, and bacteria every single day you carry.

Ignoring that reality doesn’t make it go away—it just lets it grow. And sooner or later, that can mean odors, rashes, or even infections.

The good news? With the right design and a simple routine, washing holster gear doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, it can be as easy as tossing a cover in the laundry, especially when you’re using modern gear like the Cloudster Pillow holster wedge that was built with hygiene in mind.

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The Dirty Little Secret of Concealed Carry

If you carry IWB—especially appendix—you’re living in what we might politely call the “sweat zone.” There’s heat, moisture, and constant contact. From a microbiology standpoint, it’s paradise.

When you skip washing holster gear, here’s what starts happening over time:

1. Odor Build-Up

Bacteria love warm, dark, damp environments. As sweat and oils soak into fabrics and foams, bacteria feed on that organic matter and release volatile compounds—aka the funk you smell when you unclip your rig at the end of the day.

If you’ve ever caught a weird smell from your holster wedge and thought, “That can’t be me,” spoiler: it is.

2. Skin Problems & Holster Rash

Dirty gear pressed against your skin day after day can lead to:

• Clogged pores and acne mechanica
• Heat rash and holster rash
• Folliculitis (infected hair follicles)
• Fungal infections like ringworm in extreme cases

Dermatologists note that trapped sweat and friction are a huge trigger for these conditions, especially under tight clothing or gear
(you’ll see similar warnings in resources like the American Academy of Dermatology’s folliculitis overview).

3. Gear Degradation

Sweat is salty and slightly acidic. Over time it can:

• Corrode screws and metal hardware
• Break down cheap foam and neoprene
• Weaken stitching on hybrid or fabric holsters

Skipping washing holster gear isn’t just gross—it literally shortens the lifespan of your equipment.

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Why Traditional Foam Wedges Are a Hygiene Nightmare

Cleaning Kydex is easy: warm water, dish soap, maybe an alcohol wipe. Done.

But the moment you add a traditional foam or neoprene wedge to solve comfort issues, you inherit a problem: most of them were never designed to be cleanable.

Here’s what usually goes wrong when washing holster gear that relies on old-school wedges:

1. Glued-On, Not Designed to Be Removed

Many foam wedges are stuck on with semi-permanent adhesive. Once it’s on, it’s basically welded to your holster. You can’t remove it without destroying it or leaving a nasty glue mess behind.

2. They Act Like Sponges

Cheap open-cell foam and neoprene absorb sweat and oil deep into the core. You can wipe the outside, but the inside stays damp and dirty—prime breeding ground for bacteria.

3. You Can’t Actually Wash Them Properly

If you soak the entire wedge in water, it may:

• Stay wet for days
• Grow mold or mildew inside
• Break down and crumble

So most carriers simply…never wash them. And that’s how you end up with a permanent, sweaty bacteria sponge riding against your skin.

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The Hygienic Upgrade: Gear Built to Be Washed

The solution is not to stop carrying—it’s to upgrade and start washing holster gear that’s designed from day one to be cleanable.

A modern, hygienic holster pad system should have:

• A removable cover – the part that touches skin needs to come off.
• A washable fabric – like bamboo-blend material made for regular laundering.
• A durable inner core – like shredded memory foam that can be aired and reused for years.

This is exactly how the Cloudster Pillow is built:

1. Unzip the bamboo plush cover.
2. Remove the shredded memory foam filling.
3. Throw the cover in the wash with your normal laundry.
4. Air-dry, re-stuff, re-attach, and you’re back in business.

Instead of dreading washing holster gear, it becomes as simple as washing a sock.

We dive deeper into the construction and advantages in our article on
shredded memory foam holster wedges.

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Why Bamboo Fabric Makes a Huge Difference

Not all fabrics are equal. Cotton can hold moisture and stay damp. Neoprene traps heat. Bamboo-based fabrics, on the other hand, are uniquely suited for something that lives in your waistband.

For washing holster gear and preventing odor long-term, bamboo shines because it is:

• Moisture-wicking – it pulls sweat away from skin and helps it evaporate.
• Softer than cotton – fewer rough fibers rubbing your skin.
• Breathable – your skin isn’t suffocating under plastic.
• Naturally anti-microbial – helps resist odor-causing bacteria growth.

That’s why Cloudster Pillow uses a bamboo-blend cover: it’s not just about comfort—it’s about hygiene. You want the surface that touches your skin all day to be friendly to your skin and easy to wash.

If you compare this to old-school foam wedges discussed in many DIY threads and training articles (like those seen on
Pew Pew Tactical appendix carry guides), the difference in cleanliness and comfort is obvious.

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A Simple Routine for Washing Holster Gear

Keeping your EDC setup clean doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. Here’s a simple schedule you can follow:

Daily

• When you take your holster off, let it air out instead of immediately shoving it into a safe, drawer, or bag.
• Separate the holster from your belt and wedge so moisture can escape.

Weekly (or Bi-Weekly)

• Wipe down Kydex surfaces with warm water and dish soap, or use an alcohol-based sanitizing wipe.
• Wipe sweat off belt hardware and mag carriers.

Monthly (or As Needed)

• Unzip your Cloudster Pillow cover.
• Remove the shredded foam and set it aside.
• Wash the bamboo cover with your regular laundry (cool/warm water).
• Air-dry completely, then re-stuff and reattach to the holster.

This minimal effort solves the big issues most people are trying to address when they start thinking about washing holster gear: odor, rash, and long-term comfort.

If you’ve ever struggled with irritation, check out our dedicated piece on
Holster Rash and how to fix it.

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Don’t Forget the Belt, Mag Carrier, and EDC Tray

Washing holster gear doesn’t only mean the holster itself. Your belt, mag carrier, and even your EDC dump tray can benefit from a little hygiene love.

• Belts: Wipe down leather with a damp cloth and occasionally condition it. Nylon belts can often be spot-cleaned with mild soap.
• Mag Carriers: Treat them like your holster—quick wipe with soap and water.
• EDC Dump Tray: If you use a tray as your daily staging area, dust and grime accumulate there too. Wipe out leather or wood; sanitize plastic or metal surfaces occasionally.

A clean staging area plus clean carry gear equals a much healthier routine.

For more on organizing and maintaining your end-of-day setup, see our article on
EDC dump trays with gun holders.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Holster Gear

1. Can I wash the shredded memory foam filling too?

Generally, no. Shredded memory foam takes a very long time to dry and can break apart in a washing machine. For washing holster gear, cleaning the removable cover is usually all you need, since that’s what touches your skin.

2. What’s the best way to clean Kydex?

Warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft cloth or sponge are all you need. Avoid harsh solvents like acetone, brake cleaner, or paint thinner—they can damage finishes and potentially weaken certain plastics. A quick wipe with an alcohol pad is fine for disinfecting.

3. Will washing the bamboo cover make it rough or less soft?

No—if anything, bamboo fabric often gets softer after a few washes. Just use a gentle cycle with cool or warm water and avoid super-high heat in the dryer to prevent shrinkage.

4. My current foam wedge smells terrible. Can I save it?

Probably not. Once odor has soaked deep into a solid foam block, it’s nearly impossible to remove because you can’t thoroughly wash and dry the interior. This is a big reason to upgrade to a washable system like the Cloudster Pillow instead of fighting a losing battle.

5. How often should I replace my holster pad?

If your pad is washable and well-made, it can last for years. You only need to replace it if the fabric cover tears, the zipper fails, or the Velcro wears out. Non-washable foam wedges, on the other hand, often need replacement every few months purely for hygiene reasons.

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Carry Clean, Carry Comfortable

You wouldn’t wear the same pair of socks for six months without washing them. You shouldn’t do that to your holster wedge, either.

As carriers, we talk a lot about cleaning guns, but not nearly enough about washing holster gear. Good hygiene is part of being a responsible, long-term CCW practitioner. Your gear lives against your skin—how you maintain it affects your comfort, your health, and how often you actually want to carry.

Choose equipment that respects your body as much as it supports your firearm. That means breathable, skin-friendly materials and designs that can be easily washed—like the Cloudster Pillow’s bamboo cover and removable shredded memory foam core.

Don’t let your holster setup quietly turn into a biohazard. Keep it fresh, stay comfortable, and carry with confidence.